Alizza gains edge with AMOTA invite

05 Apr 2017

by Golf Victoria

Alizza Hetherington began well at The Marshes today.

Victoria’s Alizza Hetherington will have a clear edge over her competitors next January following the announcement that for the first time in its history, a women’s field will compete at the 2018 Australian Master of the Amateurs.

The gun teenager has already been extended an invitiation to be a part of the 18-strong women’s field that will compete separately to the 78 national and international male amateurs from January 9th next year.

In a bonus for Hetherington the event will be held at Royal Melbourne Golf Club for the eighth straight year, the club at which the Darwin-born 16-year-old is a member.

“I am really excited to have been asked to play in the first ever women’s Australian Master of the Amateurs Championship being held here at The Royal Melbourne,” said Hetherington in a press release.

“It’s just great that 18 of the top world amateurs will be competing with me at Royal Melbourne and it’s great to have a high-class event in Australia at the start of the New Year.”

Heading into its 21st instalment, the Australian Master of the Amateurs has become one of the country’s most prestigious events.

The event is to be staged the week before the Australian Amateur Championship gets underway in Perth, ensuring a strong field is drawn to the Melbourne Sandbelt to kick off what will be a sensational fortnight of amateur golf.

“With the world’s top ranked international players arriving to compete in both events it provides a unique opportunity for Australia’s amateur women to compete against the very best in the world on home soil,” said Warwick Hill-Rennie, General Manager at Royal Melbourne Golf Club.

Premier of Victoria Daniel Andrews echoed those sentiments; the state government thrilled to host one of amateur golf’s top tournaments at one of the world’s most revered layouts.

'Victoria is home to some of the best golf courses in the world,” said Premier Andrews,

“It is great that the world renowned Royal Melbourne will play host to Australia's top female amateur golfers at this prestigious tournament.”

The Australian Master of the Amateurs is a 72-hole strokeplay event for both the men and women.

Queensland’s Charlie Dann claimed his first green jacket in 2017 by toppling Victorian Interstate Series captain Zach Murray in a playoff.

Murray is Victoria’s most recent champion after his triumph in 2015, joining a spectacular honour roll including major champion Jason Day and Victorians Ash Hall and Nathan Holman.